Could you tell what’s the equalization you’ve been using on your HD6XX?
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Welcome.
These days I use it only on the Bottlehead Crack and don’t use EQ. My current tube setup includes a vintage Ken-Rad 12AU7 long ribbed black plate clear top and a Svetlana 6N13S coke bottle.
When I used the 6XX on solid state amps I set the Schiit Loki mid bass down (knobs #1 and especially knob #2). I’m not finicky about EQ and do it all by ear.
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Pad rolling with SRH1540 pads
A few hours after watching this video, I realized Zach’s approach to his offering is the very same mechanism present in the SRH1540 and Fostex T50RP headphones.
Motivation
Having a brand new spare set of pads from the Shures and the plastic rings from a retired stock pad, an obvious idea came to mind. What if?
Difficulty
Very easy.
Procedure
Video from link above is all you need.
Materials
- HPAEC1540 – Replacement Alcantara Ear Pads for SRH1540;
- Plastic rings extracted from any stock pads within the HD 6 family.
Outcome
HD 6XX with the alcantara pads from the Shure SRH1540.
HD 650 stock vs HD 6XX with SRH1540 pads (sandwich view).
HD 650 stock vs HD 6XX with SRH1540 pads (A/B test bench view).
Pros
- Comfort – this is probably the best characteristic of the SRH1540 (huge
here); - More bass. It does hit harder.
Cons
- Sound is even more closed w.r.t. stock – i.e., even less perceived soundstage;
- Less airy than stock – sensation of scooped high mids;
- HD 650/6XX sounds even darker;
- Loose pad fit. SRH1540 pads are bigger than the plastic ring that fits the HD 6 family.
Yay or Nay?
That was a Nay for me. Reason is simple. If I want more bass with a better tuned midrange I can just go ahead and grab the SRH1540 instead.
But since my 6XX is in the drawer and the extra set of pads from the SRH1540 was in its original box for the past 2 years, I’ll probably leave this combination for the time being.
Why the heck is this being shared then?
Maybe this is a Yay for you? Believe me, the comfort is really a few notches above when compared to stock. Price-wise, it is in the same ballpark than the stock pads. Should you like to try it won’t break your bank.
Can’t deny that EDM was particularly fun to listen with this combination. 
Bonus question
Have you compared both 650 and 6XX with stock pads?
Yes, that was actually the very first exercise when I purchased the 650 a few months ago. Both sounded the same to me. I’m not a reviewer, hence, I only listen to music not test tones.
Cheers. 
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HD6XX and Fiio KA3 on balanced out. Pretty ok and considering the KA3 price maybe even a great budget solution. But I prefer HD6XX more on tubes or some bigger amps.
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If you had pictured an HD58X instead, then you’d be set with that KA3.
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Whenever I rotate back to my HD6XX, it never fails to wow me. Inspired by Oratory1990’s EQ, this is just a simple 3-band EQ that I found levels up the HD6XX just right by clarifying upper-bass / lower-midrange and affording a bass shelf without obviously audible distortion.
I’ve been listening to my HD6XX with this EQ for three days now, and honestly I am absolutely stunned by how good these sound. I think I always pick up this headphone with lower expectations because I’ve had these for a decade now (I replaced my HD650 with a HD6XX in 2018), and it lives alongside higher end cans, but by god—the HD6XX is truly incredible for natural tonality, timbre, and stunningly realistic staging and imaging.
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The mystery of scaling gear perhaps. I use the SPL Phonitor se for my hd6XX, one of the best solid-state amplifier for this headphone. The quality of the amplifier is critical and cannot be overestimated. As a final touch, I am thinking of replacing the stock cable, not sure if it is worth it. This is another debate…
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Hello @SenyorC, I know I am replying to an old review of yours, but I thought I would like to take the opportunity to post an agreement.
As many of you know, I have been doing some upgrades. I recently bought the Sabaj a20d DAC/AMP So that I would have something to use when I am in State College. This device is fully balanced, quite modern, and adequately powered. I also bought a selection of Hart audio cables, including a cable with Sennheiser plugs. Now for the first time in a long time I am able to listen to the HD 6XX in a balanced mode.
On the Sabaj, listening to Santana’s Blessings and Miracles album on Qobuz at 96/24 I think I can fully appreciate the 6xx scalability. There is bass slam. The Sennheiser veil is gone although I would like a touch more shimmer on the cymbals.
The tracks I use for testing are “A Lighter Shade of Pale” and “Break” which follows. For comparison, I immediately played the same tracks with the Rosson RAD-0 Headphones. Are the Rossons better? Yes certainly, they should be at 10 times the price. Are they 10 times better? No way. They’re probably two times as good. (My own very subjective opinion, take that ASR)
This makes me yet more convinced that the 6xx/650 is a strong recommendation for newer users and one that will help them understand scalability and also provide a well understood audio yardstick.
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Spot on comments. Finding matching/budget gear to reveal the HD 600’s scalability potential was my side project for several years. I shifted attention elsewhere after reaching a practical plateau. Regardless of those who advocate exotic, mystical, or magical amps, Sennheiser’s 600 family drivers can’t compete with the next tier up. Resources are best directed elsewhere after a certain point.
My side trip of converting the Porta Pro to a Hart/balanced connector was to see how low one can go to experience scalability. (My answer: Balanced was a wee bit better but the Porta Pro doesn’t improve much. Yaxi pads delivered a more significant change.)
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Agree on the Yaxi Don’t yet have a balanced Porta-Pro.
At $429 the Sabaj a20d 2020 is a very nice match for the 6xx. Plenty of reserve for better phones, it seems to provide a cost effective high end for 6xx scalability. My Bifrost 2/64 / Lyr 3 stack is clearly better, but the solid state Sabaj mates excellently without bottom end bloat.
Solid end-game for 6xx scaling.
My goal for the Sabaj was only to get a clean and cost effective solution for a second location. It’s more than good enough for that.
As a side comment, the modular Hart cables make it easy to swap in other headphones for comparison.
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I never really understood this veil thing myself – not airy? – but… 
All I know is the HD650 is a dark sounding downtilted headphone and I like it that way because it is never fatiguing to me.
Side story. I have been (almost) exclusively into IEMs for the past month – basshead season – and the headphones were kept in their cases. Yesterday, I received a 4.4mm adapter and needed to test it on my balanced amp (Liquid Platinum) so I left the amp warming up with background songs through the HD650 and decided to listen one of my favorite songs at fun levels (85dB+).
Ohhh boy, all it took was one song to remind me the over-excitation of the mids given by my pinna. That was a quite interesting observation because no IEM can deliver me those pinna reflections and I became nostalgic about it after listening to the HD650. 
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We have been in the same boat. A few months ago, I too finally acquired a balanced cable for my Sennheiser Massdrop HD6XX. This cable has drastically transformed my opinion of the HD6XX.
I have often and repetitively barked at how much I cannot enjoy the sound of Sennheiser Massdrop HD6XX on solid state amplification (they are great on tubes).
Could you, would you, with a goat?
I would not, could not, with a goat!
Would you, could you, on a boat?
I could not, would not, on a boat.
I will not, will not, with a goat.
I will not hear them in the rain.
I will not hear them on a train.
Not in the dark! Not in a tree!
Not in a car! You let me be!
I do not like them in a box.
I do not like them with a fox.
I will not hear them in a house.
I do not like them with a mouse.
I do not like them here or there.
I do not like them ANYWHERE!
I do not like HD6XX!
People continually respond with disbelief, that I it is not possible for me to enjoy the sound of HD6XX. My unwavering opinion had been based on using single ended cable from single ended outputs on all of my solid state amplifiers. And, when using my amplifiers with single ended output, I continue to hold this opinion.
However, with BALANCED cable in hand. I have begun plugging into amplifiers balanced outputs resulting in experiencing much higher performance potential that I had not realized possible with HD6XX. I can finally say.
Say, I like green eggs and ham!
Thank you! Thank you, Sam-I-Am.
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Glad you tried them as you should
Glad you find they now sound good
I thought I was the only one
Who referenced Seuss
For Audio fun
Soon I’ll need to up my game
And find a new bard and refrain
I think I feel it in my belly
I’ll try paraphrasing
Percy Blysshe Shelly
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I spent several years dealing with painful bright, harsh, and scratchy treble on the HD 600. I became a balanced convert because it truly can transform 600 family drivers – they seem to be exceptionally noise-prone. In the case of the 600 this comes out as piercing, scratchy treble. In the case of the 6XX/650, this can result in bloat, veiling, and mid-range roughness. For enjoyment I’ve got to either (1) ‘harmonize’ the noise through tubes (2) roll off the top end, or (3) eliminate the noise with a balanced setup.
For a couple years I was a sincere fan of the THX AAA 789 – mainly because of how it improved the HD 600 and made the Focal Elex less piercing and glary. The 789 is by no means the worst amp on the market for noise-prone low-to-mid priced audiophile products (to include Beyer and others). Drop’s 789 marketing made a lot of sense given the other Drop brand products. The 789 is certainly sterile and dry, but that’s way better than scratchy and harsh. [So I keep mine in a box rather than sell it in a flooded used market.]
About four cost-plausible balanced amps later, I concluded the iFi ZenDAC (balanced model) with Burr-Brown DAC is the easiest way to achieve reasonable, low-fatigue performance for noise-sensitive headphones in this quality class. The warmish Burr-Brown limits the amount of treble content it lets through (and it cuts the air unfortunately), while its balanced setup takes away perceived noise and harshness. Add a balanced tube hybrid amp for further smoothing.
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Just did some measurements of a brand new HD 650 on our current upright GRAS setup.
I think I prefer the HD 600, but I can see why some folks would be more into this one. Treble is also bound to relax a bit with pad wear.
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Oh, you are not alone with this assessment.
As much as I appreciate the naturalness of the instruments and voice reproduction, the overall tonal balance of the 650 is comparatively too “dark” for me, while the 600 seems almost “refreshing”.
Since I got new Dekoni pads in the mail today – and a spare 6XX in the drawer – why not doing some quick ‘n’ dirty pad rolling and see if my preferences or perceptions have changed over time w.r.t these pads?
Disclaimers
- I already have Dekoni fenestrated sheepskin pads installed in both HD600 and HD660S. The new kid on the block for me was the Elite Sheepskin (regular for short);
- I did not listen to their whole portfolio. Until today, only tried two of their leather lineup;
- the HD650 had part-worn stock pads;
- information given below is purely subjective so take it with a grain of
Some pictures, shall we?
HD650 with fenestrated sheepskin and HD6XX with regular sheepskin
HD650 with choice leather pads and HD6XX with regular sheepskin
HD650 with stock pads and HD6XX with fenestrated sheepskin
Conclusions
- for the nth time, can’t beat stock pads tuning;
- however, the fact that these pads can last a long run (3 or more years) and they do break-in with time, makes it a competitive option down the road. Not to mention the aesthetic.
Choice Leather
- makes the HD650 even darker, bloated and muffled;
- not tolerable for my taste.
- good comfort;
- for a 2 years old faux leather I’m impressed it is still in one piece, i.e., no signs of cracking. Time will tell though.
Elite Sheepskin
- a little bit too warm for my taste but tolerable after brain burn-in (~20 minutes);
- it may work well on tracks from the 70s but will likely to sound bloated in more modern recordings. On the edge of my tolerance;
- the most comfortable set of this exercise.
Elite Fenestrated Sheepskin
- mildly warmer than stock but elevated upper bass is “ignored/normalized” after brain burn-in (~20 minutes);
- it is still my favorite of their line-up as it is the closest I perceive against stock;
- very comfortable as well.
So what’s next?
The obvious:
- the HD650 will continue with the stock pads;
- the spare HD6XX has now the fenestrated sheepskin and is going back to the drawer;
- the brand new regular sheepskin pads are going to the drawer to be revisited sometime in the near future. Need to try this one with the HD600. Maybe it’s a good fit;
- Choice leather was installed in the HD58X for 2 years and it will finally go back to the drawer.
Cheers.
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Didn’t DMS do a 6XX pads video within the last few months in which he used ZMF pads? If I recall, he really liked the end result.
Just in case you’re still on the hunt. 
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I just bought a pair of fenestrated sheepskin ZMF pads for my 6XX. Eager for them to arrive this week.
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That’s awesome! I’ll be curious to see what you think. I believe the ZMF replacement pads are the only ones I’ve ever seen said to be as good or better than the original HD 6XX/650 pads.
Looking forward to your impressions!
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